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The midpoint of Lent is marked by Laetare Sunday. The priest's vestments on this day can be pink. In England and some parts of Europe this was also Mothering Sunday. Florence Berger explains the traditions attached to this day.

DIRECTIONS

By this time, we have reached the middle of Lent, and mother, along with Mother Church, can celebrate Laetare Sunday. This was once known as Refreshment Sunday or the Sunday of the Golden Rose. You will only know how welcome that refreshment can be if you have really fasted. So beat up a big cake and trim it with roses. It was on this day that the Holy Father honored some Christian prince with the gift of a golden rose. The gift was a reward for merit and the roses on your cake will be such for your boys and girls. Then let us rejoice. Sing out, "Laetare." With your children rejoice. This is the day to celebrate the arrival of spring. If you do not live in God's open country, get out for the day and breathe deep the new spring air. Come see the baby lambs with their stubby noses and their stiff black legs. Run with them, and you will catch the joy of living. God made this spring for your pleasure, so enjoy it and thank Him for His blessings.

This mid-point of Lent was celebrated in England as Mothering Sunday. Girls who worked as maids were always given a holiday in which to return to their homes. Poor and unhandy was the daughter who dared to come home to mother without a Mothering or Simnel Cake under her arm. This was mother's present and a good one, too.

Simnel Cake was an easy version of the Christmas plum cake which lost its plums in the ages of antiquity. It might not be a bad idea to present all our mothers with such a cake. I am sure they would enjoy them more than the tiresome carnations which always arrive as gifts on Mother's Day.